Update: Senate’s plan to fund American Indian Cultural Center falls short in House

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Update: Senate’s plan to fund American Indian Cultural Center falls short in House

UPDATE: After the Oklahoma State Senate’s plan to fund the museum fell short in the Oklahoma House, Sen. David Holt released the following statement:

“Some years ago, in its infinite wisdom, the State began a project in Oklahoma City, my community, our capital city, where two interstates intersect. That project is the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum. After four years of difficult negotiation and compromise, the Senate passed an extremely reasonable solution to the challenge of completing that project. That solution included $40 million in non-State donations and no tax dollars. Now, despite that, it appears there will not be a resolution this session.

“If this result is allowed to stand, I believe it would be appropriate for the people of Oklahoma to question our competency. No one should beat their chests over a perceived victory. The State still has an $80 million problem on the Oklahoma River, in our capital city, at the most prominent location in my community.

“Hope springs eternal, or at least until Sine Die, but if this result stands, it will haunt my community for years, and it should haunt the legacy of those in this building who could have done something about it.”

OKLAHOMA – There has been a lot of controversy involving the American Indian Cultural Center and Museum.

One lawmaker wants to derail a plan to pay for the rest of the construction.

You’ll recall, work has stopped on the museum near I-35 and I-40, due to a lack of funding.

Senate bill 1651 would provide $40 million towards its completion from the unclaimed property fund.

But state representative Sean Roberts said Friday, he’s proposing a change to the bill — instead providing $20 million to make repairs to the state capital and $20 million towards education.

Roberts says it’s irresponsible to provide money to what he calls a questionable project when we are struggling to provide adequate funding for schools and repairs to the crumbling capital building.